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Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

camd

IT - SYSTEM ENGINEER

Columbia, MD

The Systems Engineer (SE) serves as a technical expert in system administration for complex operating systems and recommends configuration of operating systems and applications. The SE investigates ...

Cornerstone Defense

DevOps Systems Engineer

Reston, VA · On-site

$55 - $75.25/hr

... Engineer Location: Herndon, VA *Clearance: *Active TS/SCI w/ Polygraph needed to apply * Company ... Experience with Microsoft operating systems/Windows environments. * Experience with AWS deployments.

Peraton

SCCM Support Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

As a Systems Engineer on our team, you will support one of the largest enterprise-wide engineering ... developing operating procedures and policies as needed or requested. Key Responsibilities:

Peraton

SCCM Support Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD

As a Systems Engineer on our team, you will support one of the largest enterprise-wide engineering ... developing operating procedures and policies as needed or requested. Key Responsibilities:

Chenega Corporation

Jr Systems Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

Deploy and configure ArcGIS in a wide variety of environments across operating systems, cloud ... From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there's always room to learn. We offer ...

Peraton

SCCM Support Systems Engineer

Columbia, MD · On-site

$176K - $282K/yr

As a Systems Engineer on our team, you will support one of the largest enterprise-wide engineering ... developing operating procedures and policies as needed or requested. Key Responsibilities:

Chenega MIOS

Jr Systems Engineer

Vienna, VA · On-site

Deploy and configure ArcGIS in a wide variety of environments across operating systems, cloud ... From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe theres always room to learn. We offer ...

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All JobsOperating Systems Engineer JobsEntry Level Operating Systems Engineer JobsEntry Level Operating Systems Engineer Jobs in Washington, DC

Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$16

$35

$57

How much do entry level operating systems engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level operating systems engineer in Washington, DC is $35.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.06 and $39.18 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer vs Entry Level Systems Administrator?

AspectEntry Level Operating Systems EngineerEntry Level Systems Administrator
Primary FocusDesigning, developing, and troubleshooting operating systems and related softwareManaging, maintaining, and supporting IT systems and infrastructure
Required SkillsKnowledge of OS architecture, scripting, programming, and troubleshootingNetwork management, user support, hardware/software installation
Work EnvironmentSoftware development teams, engineering labsIT support teams, data centers, corporate networks
CertificationsCompTIA Linux+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server FundamentalsCompTIA A+, Network+

While both roles involve working with operating systems, Entry Level Operating Systems Engineers focus on developing and troubleshooting OS software, whereas Entry Level Systems Administrators manage and support existing systems and infrastructure. The choice depends on whether you prefer software development or system management.

What does an Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer do?

An Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer assists in developing, maintaining, and troubleshooting operating systems for computers and servers. Their responsibilities often include writing and testing code, monitoring system performance, and resolving issues related to software and hardware interactions. They work under the supervision of senior engineers to ensure the stability, security, and efficiency of operating systems used by organizations. This role is ideal for those with a background in computer science or related fields and a strong interest in low-level software development.

What are some typical projects or responsibilities for an Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer during their first year?

As an Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer, you can expect to work on tasks such as troubleshooting basic OS issues, assisting with system installations and updates, and helping maintain system security protocols. You might also participate in scripting automation for routine maintenance and support more senior engineers with configuration management. Early on, there is a strong focus on learning internal processes, collaborating with IT and development teams, and gaining hands-on experience with various operating systems in a controlled environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer, you need foundational knowledge of computer science concepts, operating system fundamentals, and a relevant bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with Linux/Unix environments, scripting languages (like Bash or Python), version control systems (such as Git), and sometimes certifications like CompTIA Linux+ are typical technical requirements. Problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and strong teamwork and communication skills help distinguish standout performers. These skills ensure the engineer can effectively maintain, troubleshoot, and improve operating system performance, which is essential for system reliability and team collaboration.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operating Systems Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Operating Systems Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer jobs in Washington, DC? For Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer jobs in Washington, DC are:
Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Operating Systems Engineer job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $73,766 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

IT - SYSTEM ENGINEER

camd

Columbia, MD

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

IT - SYSTEM ENGINEER

Summary:  
The Systems Engineer (SE) serves as a technical expert in system administration for complex operating systems and recommends configuration of operating systems and applications. The SE investigates and analyzes feasibility of system requirements, develops system specifications, and identifies methods and solutions to ensure a high level of service to the customers of Columbia Association’s (CA) Information Technology (IT) division.  
 
Essential Duties: 
  • Effectively participate in all aspects of design, development, testing, and implementation of all internal and external CA’s system features on an as-needed basis.
    Provide excellent customer support and address customer issues to resolve them in a timely and efficient manner. 
    Resolve product or service problems by clarifying customer concerns, determining the cause of the problem, selecting & explaining the best solution to solve the problem. 
  • Fully document solutions to issues in ticketing system/knowledge base.
    Lead one or more architecture assignments, working closely with the CA IT personnel and partners to manage tasks and deliverables accordingly. 
    Ensure that the aspects of the architecture are driven by the business goals of the organization and that the requirements driving the overall architecture are managed consistently and effectively. 
    Present the technical benefits of adopting a consistent architectural approach. 
    Assess requirements and present System Engineering-based recommendations in line with the strategic CA IT objectives for the enterprise and wider best practice. 
    Ensure that the various frameworks comprising enterprise architecture are consistent and coherent, developed at an appropriate level of detail, and that changes are controlled to maintain consistency. 
    Serve as a subject matter expert for architectural frameworks, methods, and tools.
    Advise and assist CA personnel and external partners’ personnel in any architecture disciplines. 
    Perform scheduled monthly, quarterly, and annual systems engineering, operational, and security compliance activities while maintaining comprehensive documentation and audit logs to ensure continuous audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
     
Additional Duties: 
 
  • Manage and monitor all installed systems and infrastructure.
    Install, configure, test, and maintain operating systems, application software and system management tools. 
    Proactively ensure the highest levels of systems and infrastructure availability. 
    Monitor and test application performance for potential bottlenecks, identify practical solutions, and work with vendors to implement those fixes. 
    Maintain security, backup, and redundancy configurations 
    Maintain and administer Virtual Server and Azure environments
    Write and maintain custom scripts to increase system efficiency and lower the human intervention time where appropriate. 
    Participate in the design of information and operational support systems.
    Provide solution reviews and maintain solution inventory.
    Participate in annual table top exercises
    Provide 2nd and 3rd level support for CA Help Desk. 
    Liaise with vendors and other IT personnel for problem resolution. 
  • Effectively facilitate installation of all updates and patches to CA systems in a timely yet tested/secure manner.
    Effectively plan and facilitate any other ongoing CA system support both on-site and with all CA’s facilities. 
    Effectively assist as technical resource with all universal support and infrastructure problems and projects. 
    Under the guidance of CA IT Network Manager, monitors and maintains CA’s 
  • Monitors and maintains a comprehensive set of performance metrics for all system features. 
    Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of best practices, policies, and technical specifications for endpoint computing and server hardware.  
    Interact with team members in developing new service programs and in efficiently providing services offered. 
 
Requirements: 
 
Experience 
  • Have strong technical and analytical background and experience in desktop/server configuration and integration - sufficient to allow for performance as single technical security support person or a lead in a security systems team.  
Education 
  • Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or relevant Software Engineering experience or related field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience. 
 
Certification 
  • Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) preferred
    Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert preferred 
    Microsoft 365 Certified: Administrator Expert preferred 
  • Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals preferred
    VMWare Certified Professional (VCP) preferred
    Network+ and Security+ preferred
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 
Problem Solving 
  • Demonstrated skill in problem solving and troubleshooting computer hardware, software, and network connectivity. 
    Experience as primary technical support contact for a client. 
    Proven working experience in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting Windows based environments. 
    Solid experience in the administration and performance tuning in Windows Enterprise. 
    Solid Cloud experience, preferably in Azure and AWS (Amazon Web Services) 
    Experience with virtualization and containerization (e.g., VMware,) 
    Experience with monitoring systems and vulnerability scanning (Tenable One, Action1, ADAudit Plus)
    Experience in security awareness training and phishing simulations platforms (KnowBe4)
    Solid scripting skills (e.g., shell scripts, Perl, Ruby, Python) 
    Solid networking knowledge (OSI network layers, TCP/IP) 
     
Communication/Professionalism 
  • Demonstrated excellent technical and non-technical communication skills, both written and oral. 
  • Experience providing technical customer support on the phone, online, and in person.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team providing timely, high-quality services.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality when accessing records for business needs.
Technical Skills 
  • Cisco Meraki knowledge is a plus 
  • 8 x8 VOIP Platform is a plus
  • Security experience is a plus (NIST 800-53)
 
 
Salary Range:
 

The pay range for this position is $32.50 per hour to $48.50 per hour. The actual pay rate offered will depend on the overall qualifications of the individual applicant for the position and the amount budgeted for the role. CA offers a positive, fun work environment and a generous benefits package. Part-time benefits include a free Fit & Play membership, Wellness benefits w/Perks and some paid leave. Full-time benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), a free Fit & Play membership, Wellness benefits w/perks and paid leave.

Disclaimer: 
 
The above statements are intended to describe the work performed by the IT Systems Engineer. These statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, tasks, and skills required of a Team Member in this position. CA reserves the right to require, consistent with CA’s Team Member policies, that other tasks be performed when warranted by CA’s business needs (for example, emergencies, changes in personnel or workload, corporate reorganization, technical development). CA also reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. 
 

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